Nectarine Tree Named &#39;Pearlicious VII&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  broadly characterized by a large size, very vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms between the early to mid season and requires about 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early July, with first picking on Jul. 7, 2011. The fruit is uniformly large in size, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, full red in skin color, and a tasty balance of acid and sugar in flavor.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Pearlicious VII’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘Pearlicious VII’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 2001 as a first generationcross using ‘June Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,360) nectarine as theselected seed parent and an unnamed yellow flesh nectarine designated bycode number ‘1P1152’ (unpatented) as the selected pollen parent. Thefruit of this cross was gathered in the spring of 2001, and the seedswere removed from the fruit, germinated, stratified, and grown asseedlings on their own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancythat winter, the seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivatedarea of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in MercedCounty (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2005I selected the present variety as a single tree from the group ofseedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the presentvariety of nectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding andgrafting in the experimental orchard described above, and suchreproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety includedthe use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the presentvariety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘June Pearl’nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,360) by producing nectarines that aremostly red in skin color, white in flesh color, clingstone in type, firmin texture, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that islarger in size, sweeter in flavor, more symmetrical and globose inshape, and that matures about fourteen days later.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘1P1152’ nectarineby producing fruit that is clingstone in type, nearly full red in skincolor, and large in size, but is quite distinguished therefrom by beingwhite in flesh color instead of yellow, by being larger in size, and bymaturing about thirty days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Candy Pearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 14,249) nectarine by producing nectarines that are white in fleshcolor, clingstone in type, firm in texture, large in size, full red inskin color, and mature in early July, but is distinguished therefrom byblooming earlier, by requiring less chilling hours, by having globoseinstead of reniform leaf glands, and by producing fruit that has abitter instead of sweet kernel, that is more symmetrical, and that issweeter and lightly acidic instead of sub-acidic in flavor.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a largesize, very vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearingtree. The variety blooms between the early to mid season and requiresabout 550 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecologicalconditions described in early July, with first picking on Jul. 7, 2011.The fruit is uniformly large in size, globose in shape, clingstone intype, firm and melting in texture, white in flesh color, full red inskin color, and a tasty balance of acid and sugar in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one dividedfruit to reveal the flesh and stone, a typical young tip shoot, threeinsets to reveal buds and a blossom, and characteristic leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jul. 12, 2011, on the original tree during itstenth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘June Pearl’ nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            9,360).        -   Pollen parent.—‘1P1152’ nectarine (unpatented).-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 9′ [2.74            m.] and a spread of 11′ [3.35 m.] after ten growing seasons            utilizing typical dormant pruning.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and            fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of            surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant            should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for            production purposes.        -   Growth.—Spreading and dense.        -   Form.—Vase type.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.        -   Approximate chilling requirement.—550 hours.        -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical            central California climatic conditions, which typically            include extended periods of heat.        -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial            orchards and requires regular irrigation.        -   Production.—Productive, thinning necessary.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Bearing.—Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet            observed.        -   Trunk.—Size. — Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 6½″            [165.1 mm.] after the tenth growing season. Texture. —            Shaggy. Bark Color. — A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and            Moderate brown [58. m.Br] variegation with a few Moderate            orange yellow [71. m.OY] crevices. Lenticels. — Approximate            Number Per Square Inch: 12.Color: Light yellowish brown [76.            l.yBr]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped,            elongated.        -   Branches.—Size. — Diameter of main scaffold is 4½″ [114.3            mm.] measured 12″ above the crotch, diameter of limb is 2¼″            [57.2 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork. Texture. —            Smooth on first year wood, increasing roughness with age.            Color. — Second Year Wood: Moderate yellowish brown [77.            m.yBr]. Third Year Wood: Deep yellowish brown [75. deep            yBr]. Lenticels. — Number Per Square Inch: About 80 on            second year wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr].            Average size: 1/64″ [0.4 mm.] to 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] on second            year wood. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Leaves.—Size. — Large. Average Length: 6½″ [165.1 mm.].            Average Width: 1½″ [38.1 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.            Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Elliptical. Apex. — Acuminate.            Base. — Rounded to obtuse. Surface. — Smooth. Color. —            Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG]. Ventral            Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG]. Margin. — Finely            serrate. Venation. — Pinnately net veined. Vein Color. —            Pale yellow green [121. p.YG]. Petiole. — Average Length: ⅜″            [9.5 min.]. Average Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color:            Strong yellow green [117. s.YG]. Stipules. — Number: Usually            2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4            =I.]. Color: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG] becoming            Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG] with maturity. Glands. —            Number: 1 to 4 per leaf. Position: Mostly opposite. Size:            Medium. Form: Globose. Color: Strong yellow green [117.            s.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age.            Leaf Buds. — Pointed, medium in size.        -   Flower buds.—Hardiness. — Hardy, with respect to central            California winters. Diameter. — Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1            week before bloom. Length. — Typically ¾″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week            before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. — Pubescent.            Tip Color. — Strong purplish pink [247. s.pPk].        -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single            pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations            alternately positioned. Type. — Showy, large. Average Flower            Diameter. — 2″ [50.8 mm.]. Number of Petals. — Mostly five,            extra-petal fragments are common. Petal Shape. — Circular to            oval. Petal Margin. — Entire, wavy. Average Petal Diameter.            — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Average Petal Length. — 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].            Petal Apex. — Rounded. Petal Base. — Rounded to somewhat            truncate. Petal Color. — Light pink [4. l.Pk] on both sides.            Anther Color. — Deep reddish orange [36. deep rO] over a            Light yellow [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset. Stigma Color.            — Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY]. Sepal Color. — Dark            purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer surface. Sepal Length.            — ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Sepal Width. — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. Sepal Apex.            — Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length and width.            Sepal Margin. — Fairly smooth. Average Pistil Length. — ¾″            [19.1 mm.]. Average Stamen Length. — 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].            Fragrance. — Moderate. Blooming Period. — Early to mid            season, two days after ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            7,507) nectarine. Onset of Bloom. — One percent on Feb.            22, 2011. Date of Full Bloom. — Mar. 5, 2011. Duration of            Bloom. — One to two weeks, dependent on ambient temperature.            Number per cluster. — 1 to 3 with single flowers most            common.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, Jul. 12, 2011.        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 7, 2011.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 21, 2011.        -   Size.—Uniform, large. Average Diameter Axially. — 2¾″ [69.9            mm.]. Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane. — 2 15/16″ [74.6            mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 3″ [76.2 mm.].            Typical Weight. — 8.2 ounces [232.5 grams].        -   Form.—Uniform, globose, compressed axially, fairly            symmetrical. Longitudinal Section Form. — Round. Transverse            Section Through Diameter. — Round.        -   Suture.—Extends from the base, continues along the side, and            ends just past the pistil point. Near the Base. — A sharp            groove. Along the Side. — A shallow trough. Near the Apex. —            A shallow groove.        -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped throughout on both sides.        -   Lips.—Slightly unequal.        -   Cavity.—Flaring, slightly elongated in the suture plane,            suture showing on one side, Pale yellow green [121. p.YG]            stem markings typical. Depth. — ⅝″ [15.9 mm.]. Breadth. —            1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].        -   Base.—Truncate, strongly cordate if viewed parallel to the            suture.        -   Apex.—Truncate, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.        -   Pistil point.—Slightly apical, short in length, depressed            within the suture.        -   Stem.—Medium. Average Length. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width.            — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Smooth. Tenacity. —            Tenacious to flesh. Astringency. — Nonastringent. Tendency            to Crack. — None observed in a dry season. Color. — Dark red            [16. d.R] over a Strong red [12. s.R] background with Pale            orange yellow [73. p.OY] freckling throughout.        -   Flesh.—Color. — Yellowish white [92. yWhite], with a minor            amount of Light pink [r. l.Pk] streaking very close to the            stone. Surface of Pit Cavity. — Covered with Light yellowish            pink [28. l.yPk] broken fibers when twisted from the stone.            Amygdalin. — Moderate. Juice. — Moderate, rich. Texture. —            Firm, tough, crisp. Fibers. — Few, fine, tender. Ripens. —            Slightly uneven, earliest at the apex. Flavor. — A nice            balance of sugar and acid, typically 18 to 20 brix. Aroma. —            Moderate. Eating Quality. — Very good.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Hilum.—Narrow, oval.        -   Base.—Obtuse, slightly rounded.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Sides.—Equal.        -   Surface.—Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward            the base.        -   Ridges.—Rounded.        -   External color.—Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr].        -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Pale yellow green [121. p.YG].        -   Cavity surface color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].        -   Average pit wall thickness.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Average width.—1 1/16″ [27 mm.].        -   Average length.—1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].        -   Average breadth.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Tendency to split.—None observed.        -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Pale yellow [89. p.Y]            when first removed. Pellicle Color. — Light yellow [86.            l.Y]. Vein Color. — Light yellow [86. l.Y]. Taste. — Bitter.            Viable. — Yes. Average Width. — ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average            Length. — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Amygdalin. — Moderate.-   Use:    -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in            good condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36°            Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].        -   Shipping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.        -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Candy Pearl’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,242) nectarine by producing nectarines that arewhite in flesh color, clingstone in type, firm in texture, large insize, full red in skin color, and mature in early July, but isdistinguished therefrom by blooming earlier, by requiring less chillinghours, by having globose instead of reniform leaf glands, and byproducing fruit that has a bitter instead of sweet kernel, that is moresymmetrical, and that is sweeter and lightly acidic instead ofsub-acidic in flavor.